Maetha j



' MARTHA J COSTGN.

n Pyrotechnc Night Signals.

Patented iune13,187\` if VM p Washington,

UNITED STATES MARTHA COSTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PVROTECHNIC NIGHT-SIGNALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,935, dated June 13, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, MARTHA J'. COSTON, of

District of Columbia, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements on The Coston Telegraphic NightSignals;77 and do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof', reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

A represents signal, with holder, as held when about to be ignited. B represents an external view of improved signal complete. C represents an external view of improved signal 4without the outerl case, showing on its surface composition and quick-match by which signal is ignited; D, a longitudinal section of the interior structure of improved signal, showing course of the quick-match J by which signal is ignited, E, a sectional or interior view of outer case with the composition for ignition. y Y

F represents the bottom of signal, (a solid block of wood,) to which signal and outer case are both attached. G represents the bottom of the solid block F as held by the steel points I and spring H in the holder, H, a spring, which drives the steel points I into the wooden bottom, thereby holding the signal firmly in the holder 5 `I, steel points, one of which is attached to the spring H 5 can therefore be raised or pressed down, so as to let the signalbottom F be placed on or taken oif the holder. The other steel points are soldered fast to the sides of socket in the holder. J, the quickmatch, which is embedded in the igniting composition, as set forth in the accompanying drawing C.

Direct/ons for Ignitiug the Gaston Signals, as

represented n the Accompanying Specificatica and Draw/ing.

Grasp the holder in the right hand and insert in its top that end of the signal that has no colored stripes, (the stripes show the colors contained in signal.) Lift a little the spring H, that the steel point I of the same may penetrate well into the wpoden bottom F. Then grasp around the upper part of signal with the left hand, firmly pressing it between the thumb and forefinger, while at the same vtime holding it firmly with the other parts of the hand that all may act in concert, rmly holding the holder` in the right hand, and give the signal and holder a twist in opposite directions with both hands, when the signal will ignite. The ignition announces itself by a fizzing sound. The twisting of the signal loosens the outer case E, which surrounds the signal proper and produces a friction. Raise oil' this 'outer case E and the ignition is complete, when the signal continues to burn, showing colorsas numbered or signified by stripes of colored paper. l

My invention consists, first, in the construction of an improved selfignitin g case for the reception of pyrotechnic composition, said case being composed of two parts, styled outer and inner case. The outer case is a loosefitting cylinder or cap, which is placed over the inner case and is attached to the blocle which forms the bottom of said inner case or signal, and can be freed by a slight twist. The` twisting of this outer case or cylinder creates a friction, which causes an ignition to take -place and which lights the signal. This ignition is caused by two compositions, the first being placedl on the surface of the signal or inner case in contact with a quick-match which projects over and is fastened down on the outside of inner case. The lsecond composition is'placed on the inside of outer case or cylinder, near the top. The outer case should be placed over the signal proper, so

.that igniting compositions upon both cases should not come in contact one with the other before twisting, which produces the friction. The contact and friction of these two compositions, one with the other, causes a combustion to take place, which ignites a quickmatch on the outside of inner case, and thereby communicates with the pyrotechnichcompositions, when the ignition is complete. Second, in a peculiar construction of holder or handle, which aids the ignition of the aforesaid case 5 also firmly holding the same while burning.

I claimi Y l. The case C, consisting of the outer and inner parts e and ef, having the friction composition and quick-match arranged between them, as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The signal-holder Z, with its springH and steel points I, constructed as described.

MARTHA J. COSTON. Witnesses:

WM. F. GosToN, JArvms S. GRINNELL. 

